"This defendant needs to go away. He can manipulate kids and do it again. He needs to go to prison. It's a most serious offense in our civilized society. I ask he be taken out of society"
It's the second time a 69-year-old Marcellus man will go behind prison bars. Friday in Cass County Circuit Court, Jerome Wilkins of 54303 Cranberry Road, Marcellus, was sent to prison for second-degree criminal sexual conduct against a young family member.
Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said it was a most serious offense involving a young child and was not the first go around. He said Wilkins was convicted of first degree CSC in 1990 and went to prison for that.
"This defendant needs to go away. He can manipulate kids and do it again. He needs to go to prison. It's a most serious offense in our civilized society. I ask he be taken out of society," Fitz said.
Defense attorney James Miller said Wilkins has had many problems which he asked the court to consider. He asked for the low end of the guideline range which was 19 months.
But Circuit Judge Michael Dodge didn't agree. He said it was Aug. 6 when he victimized the child and it was not the first time. In 1999, he got 5-20 years for first-degree criminal sexual conduct for molesting another family member. He said because of the serious nature of this crime, it dictates the high end of the guideline range which was 38 months. He said he has no mercy and went to the top of the guideline range of 38 months to a maximum of 15 years. Dodge gave him credit for 86 days served and imposed charges of $570.
"25% of all sex offenders re-offend within 15 years"
.........Sarah Tofte
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